Writers and Authors Salary in California
Writers and Authors in California earn a median annual wage of $86,480 —12.4% above the national median of $76,910. That ranks CA #6 of 43 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.49× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for writers and authors
All 43 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $129,300 | $62.16 | 1,050 | 4.85 |
| 2 | Maryland | $104,330 | $50.16 | 540 | 0.63 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $98,460 | $47.34 | 480 | 0.92 |
| 4 | Vermont | $94,430 | $45.40 | 110 | 1.23 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $89,520 | $43.04 | 480 | 0.81 |
| 6 | California | $86,480 | $41.58 | 8,390 | 1.49 |
| 7 | Washington | $85,700 | $41.20 | 770 | 0.71 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $85,260 | $40.99 | 1,350 | 1.20 |
| 9 | Virginia | $85,000 | $40.87 | 1,530 | 1.21 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $81,590 | $39.23 | 1,180 | 0.90 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $85,030 | $74,750 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | $47,320 |
| Graphic Designers | $75,130 | $62,960 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $39,390 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $90,360 |
| Editors | $98,030 | $77,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do writers and authors make in California?
The median annual wage for writers and authors in California is $86,480, or $41.58 per hour. That is 12.4% above the national median of $76,910.
What is the entry-level writers and authors salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $56,730 per year ($27.27/hour). The 25th percentile is $75,530.
How many people work as writers and authors in California?
About 8,390 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for writers and authors?
California ranks #6 of 43 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.49x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays writers and authors the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $129,300 per year, followed by Maryland ($104,330) and Connecticut ($98,460).